We propose new variables of Faddeev-Niemi type for static SU(3) Yang-Mills theory. These variables reveal a structure of a nonlinear sigma model, whose field variables are two chiral fields taking values in SU(3)/(U(1)xU(1)) and SU(3)/(SU(2)xU(1)). The nonlinear sigma model was introduced by Faddeev and Niemi as a natural extension of the Faddeev chiral model. Shabanov showed that the energy functional of the extended model is bounded from below by a topological invariant, and therefore may support knot-like excitations and a mass gap.
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